2020 Precision Production Degree Guide

Are you interested in the field of manufacturing and love to build things? Precision Production could be the field for you. Whether you like working with metal, wood, or leather, this major is for any type of craftsman.

A program in Precision Production will provide students with the technical knowledge and skill to develop products using precision manufacturing and illustration. The two main majors in the field are Precision Metal Working and Woodworking. Some of the courses you can expect to take are drawing digital design course, welding, tool-and-die making, and furniture design. This program is commonly seen as a certification or Associate's degree.

An Increase in Precision Production Degrees

In 2017-2018, precision production was the 22nd most popular major nationwide with 55,086 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 1,388 over the prior year, a growth of 2.5%.

Approximately 46 colleges in the U.S. offer a precision production degree of some kind. Explore this or one of our many other custom precision production rankings further below.

What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Precision Production

Students who go into this field should be comfortable with basic math, geometry and computer skills. You will be constantly measuring items and need to be careful with details. Problem solving skills will help you resolve complications in projects.

Because this is a hands-on job, it requires physical strength and stamina. You will be working on-site, lifting heavy materials and working long hours. Apprenticeships make up part of most of these programs. Students are paired up with professionals in the field to learn while doing.

Prior Education for a Precision Production Program

precision production degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific precision production careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.

Types of Precision Production Degrees

There are many different precision production degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a master's in precision production to something that takes less time like a first year certificate. Depending on the precision production degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.

Degree	Credit Requirements	Typical Program Length
Associate Degree	60-70 credits	2 years
Bachelor’s Degree	120 credits	4 years
Master’s Degree	50-70 credits	1-3 years
Doctorate	Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation	At least 4 years

A high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to precision production, with approximately 52.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for precision production workers below.

Level of Education	Percentage of Workers
High School Diploma	52.0%
Post-Secondary Certificate	22.1%
Less than a High School Diploma	13.5%
Some College Courses	7.3%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	3.7%

85.7% of precision production workers have at least a high school diploma. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in precision production have received.

The education level required is different depending on the precision production career you are seeking.

Career Opportunities for Precision Production Majors

Your career options will be determined by what concentration you chose. Graduates of Precision Metal Working can find jobs as structural iron and steel workers, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, sheet metal workers, machinist, and tool and die maker. These are professionals who link metal parts and use hand-held welding equipment to fill indentions or holes of metal products.

Woodworking majors become woodworkers, carpenters, construction laborers and helpers, and construction managers. Construction laborers and helpers do basic tasks on the construction site that required physical labor. Theses professionals commonly work fulltime, although bad weather can affect working conditions.

Small Decline Projected for Precision Production Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your precision production degree?

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to precision production.

Occupation Name	Projected Jobs	Expected Growth
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	427,300	5.6%
Machinists	404,100	2.0%
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	175,900	-8.7%
Sheet Metal Workers	150,900	8.6%
Machine Tool Operators	147,300	1.1%

How Much Money Do Precision Production Grads Make?

Precision Production graduates between 2015-2017 reported earning an average of $30,445 in the 2017-2018 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $14,200 to as high as $59,100. As you might expect, salaries for precision production graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

High Paying Careers for Precision Production Majors

Salaries for precision production graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers precision production grads often go into.

Occupation Name	Median Average Salary
Boilermakers	$63,240
Wood Patternmakers	$59,650
Metal and Plastic Model Makers	$56,920
Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers	$56,300
Tool and Die Makers	$53,650

Getting Your Precision Production Degree

With over 3,124 different precision production degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased precision production school rankings to help you with this.

Study Areas in Precision Production

Precision Production Majors to Study

Major	Annual Graduates
Precision Metal Working	53,867
Woodworking	857
Other Precision Production	185
Leatherworking & Upholstery	136
Boilermaking	23

View All Precision Production Related Majors >

Most Popular Majors Related to Precision Production

Related Major	Annual Graduates
Personal & Culinary Services	132,932
Mechanic & Repair Technologies	109,362
Construction Trades	34,134
Transportation & Materials Moving	28,074

View All Precision Production Related Majors >

References

• National Center for Education Statistics

• O*NET Online

• Image Credit: By {} under License